The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-07-14

and thriving city occupying this bend of the
river, whose influence should control public
opinion in its vicinity in favor of the patri-
archal institution. Town lots already were
held at lofty rates, and when one ascended
the bluffs and beheld the magnificent
stretch of river and field, twelve miles up
and down, it seemed that any price at all
could never be too great with this wonder
fGl landscape always in view. II the oppo-
site Kansas shore was the Canaan flowing
with milk and honey, as its Northern advo-
Gates were fond Of saying, it seemed suffi-
cient to the inhabitants on the hither side
20 enjoy the prospect beyond the swelling
food without an attempt to occupy and en-
counter the Alnaleks they were sure to nnd
IN their path.
Ny father, who was the leading physician
IN this pioneer hamlet, was among its first
settlers. Born in Virginia, he had no anti
slavery prejudices; yet he felt the system
10 be detrimental to the white race. Be-
fore coming West he had emancipatsd
himself by disposing of his negroes, reserv-
ing only q couple of house servants. Even
this shade of disspproval in the then state
of public feeling, was construed into hos
tile sentiment An outspokea declaration
against secession on the part of the South
ern States, in the interest of slavery, made
him almost an outlaw.
On certain sp: ing morning this remote
spot was astir with the reverberation of
the guns of Fort MoJltrie. Now, there
could no longer be any doubt where nv
father stood. He declared Internationally
for the Union. Our house hsd what many
of the ruder structures had pot-a commo.
dious cellar-and here at night knots of
Union men held their secret meetings, each
vending his way by separate par up and
around the bluffs to divert suspicion-the
Incipient Home Guards of Missouri. There
was an underlined dread in the air which
denoted an uprising even among those who
had long been friends and neighbors
When at last Governor Jackson disclosed
his true attitude and called upon the State
militia to repel the invasion of the Federal
troops, the pent-up feeling found express
sion in wild speeches from the jpconsider-
ate Of both parties.
Lyon was preparing to move against JEFF
ferson City, and recruiting officers were
busy mastering troops for both sides of the
conflict all over the State Lawlessness.
happily unknown to the older border States,
was already rampant-born of the free,
frontier spirit which is always ready for
reckless daring and adventure.
Our house stood upon an elevation, and
in the ravine below wound the main road of
OF the outlying country. Not day passed
that we did not see squads of horsemen
gslloping along the dusty road, but whether
rebel, or loyal, none could tell, for at that
time all were in citizens dress. The feel
ing of insecurity concerning the negroes
was increasing, and day after day saw its
loads of slave property carried farther
south into the cotton States, for it was then
thought that all the battles would be fought
on Northern soil
Our household consisted, beside the serv-
ants, of only my father, my sister Jane and
myself. Among the suitors for the hand Of
my sister was Richard Kirby, a young,
bold, daring Carolinian. In physique he
was the perfection of manly vigor, hand
some and courteous in bearing; and a
warm partisan in favor of secession. Be-
tween my mild. quiet sister and himself,
the very opposites of each other, my father
had deprecated the growing attachment,
and my sister, won though she was by her
lovers dashing ways and ardent affection,